Dispensing container for yarn and the like

ABSTRACT

Two semicylindrical hollow plastic sections are sealed to one another along adjacent flanges of a pair of opposite sides. The other two sides abut one another along their edges to define a dustproof enclosure. The abutting edges can open by squeezing the container to gain access to the end of a ball of yarn in the interior of the container.

United States Patent Richard A. Townsend Rockaway. NJ.

June 5, 1969 June 22, 1971 Sun Chemical Corporation New York, NY.

Inventor Appl. No Filed Patented Assignee DISPENSING CONTAINER FOR YARNAND THE LIKE 10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

U.S. C1 206/64, 1 242/137.150/.5 Int. Cl B65h 55/00 Field of Search221/64; 222/213:2116/5651.56A4.64:242/l37.146.170: 150/.5

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1957 Piazze 221/64 10/1958Elias 222/213 1 1/1965 Bradshaw 206/64 X FOREIGN PATENTS 10/1961 GreatBritain 1 206/56 A2 Primary Examiner-Joseph R. LeCIair Q AssistantExaminer-John M. Caskie Attorney-Cynthia Berlow ABSTRACT: Twosemicylindrical hollow plastic sections are sealed to one another alongadjacent flanges of a pair of opposite sides. The other two sides abutone another along their edges to define a dustproof enclosure. Theabutting edges can open by squeezing the container to gain access to theend of a ball of yarn in the interior of the container.

PATENTEU JUN22 15m sum 1 0r 2 ICE-.l-

PATENTEDJUNZZIHYI [35861162 sum 2 [IF 2 DISPENSING CONTAINER FOR YARNAND THE LIKE BRIEF, DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relatesto dispensing containers, and more specifically relates to a containerfor a wound cord which is accessible through a normally closed slit inthe container. The container is formed of identical semicylindricalplastic shells which are secured to one another along opposite edges byheat sealing. The other edges are normally held closed, but can bespread open to withdraw cord from the interior of the container. Thesemicircular walls of the container are concave to decrease abrasionover the full exterior of the container. The end walls of thesemicylindrical sections are corrugated to impart strength to thecontainer and to insure their ability to spread so that the slit closurecan be easily opened. Thus, material such as yarn can be safely storedwithin the container, free of danger of being soiled or tangled and freeof dust. However, one end of the yarn can be easily withdrawn from thecontainer, through one or more slits which are biased closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective viewof the dispenser of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of one of the two identical dispenser halves ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an end view similar to FIG. 5 and shows the access slitpressed open.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 taken across the section line7-7 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 7 taken across the section line8-8 in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring now to the drawings, thedispenser consists of two identical semicylindrical shells 10 and 11 ofa thin, self-supporting plastic which can be deformed, and will returnto its original position. Shells 10 and 11 may, for example, be

formed of clear oriented polystyrene having a thickness of about 15mils, and are shaped by any suitable process such as a vacuum-formingprocess. Obviously, any suitable material other than polystyrene can beused, preferably one which can be heat sealed. Any desired thicknesscould be used, preferably a thickness which will make shells 10 and 11selfsupporting. One or both shells 10 and 11 need not be clear ortransparent, but can be translucent or colored, as desired.

A roll of yarn 12, having a free end 13, is shown in FIG. 1 and iscaptured between shells 10 and 11 when they are secured to one another,as will be described. Any suitable flexible elongated material such asyarn or string, hereinafter referred to as cord, may be contained withinthe dispenser such that a free end of the cord can be reached and drawnthrough one or more slits in the dispenser.

Each of shells 10 and 11 has opposing flanges 14, 15 and 16, 17respectively having a length of about 2 inches and a width of aboutone-fourth inch. The radius of the body of each can be about 1 inch.Obviously, these dimensions can be varied as desired.

The ends of shells l0 and 11 are formed by corrugated end sections 18,19 and 20, 21 respectively which abut. one another to form two openableslits 22 and 23 respectively (FIGS. 5 to 8).

It will be noted that the semicylindrical bodies of shells l0 and 11have a concave curvature as indicated at 24 and 25 for shells l0 and 11respectively in FIGS. 4, 7 and 8.

In assembling the dispenser, the cord 12 is disposed between shells I0and 11 and flanges 14l5 and 16-17 respectively are heat sealed to oneanother. The end 13 of cord 12 (FIG. 1) can then easily be extractedfrom the dustproof container through normally closed slit 22 or 23. Notethat where the shells l0 and 11 are not of heat-sealable material,flanges 14-15 and 16-l7 could be connected to one another in any desiredmanner.

It shouldbe observed that many modifications of the structure of FIGS. 1to 8 are possible. By way of example, the peripheral edges of each shell10 and 11 could have a continuous flange rather than the short flangesections 14 to 17. The flange portion on the end walls would then assistin imparting rigidity to the semicircular end walls of the shells 10 and11. Moreover, it would be possible to secure the semicircular end wallstogether and form the access slit at one or both junctures betweenflanges 14-15 and 16-17 respectively. Moreover, the container shapecould be other than cylindrical and could be any desired hollow formwherein a portion of the adjacent peripheries of two hollow formsections are connected while the remaining portions are unconnected anddefine an openable slit.

Although this invention has been described with respect to its preferredembodiments, it should be understood that many variations andmodifications will now be obvious to those skilled in the art, and it ispreferred, therefore, that the scope of the invention be limited not bythe specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive privilege orproperty I claim are defined as follows:

1. A dispensing container comprising, in combination:

a. first and second identical hollow shells havlng continuous closedperipheral edges;

b. first and second flange means extending from at least a first lengthportion of said peripheral edges of said first and second hollow shells;

0. means for connecting at least portions of said first length portionsof said peripheral edges, thereby to hold said first and second hollowshells connected to one another to define a hollow member;

d. remaining portions of said peripheral edges which are removed fromsaid connecting means being pressed against one another to form anopenable access slit to the interior of said hollow member;

e. and an elongated cord in the interior of said hollow member; one endof said cord being movable through said access slit.

2. The dispensing container of claim 1 wherein said first and secondhollow shells are of a plastic material having a thickness sufficient tomake said shells flexible and self-supporting; and wherein said meansfor connecting is a heat seal.

3. The dispensing container of claim 2 wherein said plastic material istransparent.

4. A dispensing container comprising, in combination:

a. a first semicylindrical shell having first and second opposingflanges extending from two opposite edges thereof respectively and whichflanges are parallel to one another, and semicircular end wallsextending across the ends of said semicylindrical shell;

b. a second semicylindrical shell having a shape identical to said firstsemicylindrical shell;

c. means for connecting said first and second flanges of said first andsecond shells respectively to one another for forming a cylindricalbody;

(I. disconnected, normally abutting edge portions of peripheral edgeportions of said first and second shells forming access slit means intothe interior of said cylindrical body;

e. and an elongated cord in the interior of said cylindrical body; oneend of said cord being movable through said access slit.

5. The dispensing container of claim 4 wherein said first and secondflanges lie in a common plane which includes the axis of saidsemicircular body; and wherein said access slit means comprises theabutting connection between said semicircular end walls of said firstand second shells respectively.

6. The dispensing container of claim 4 wherein said first and secondsemicylindrical shells have a concave curvature between its ends suchthat the center of said cylindrical body has a smaller diameter than theends thereof.

7. The dispensing container of claim 6 wherein said end walls arecorrugated.

8. The dispensing container of claim 6 wherein said first and secondshells are of thin plastic material, heat scalable to itself, and whichis sufficiently thick to be self-supporting.

9. A dispensing container comprising, in combination:

a. a first semicylindrical shell having first and second opposingflanges extending from two opposite edges thereof respectively and whichflanges are parallel to one another, and semicircular end wallsextending across the ends of said semicylindrical shell;

b. a second semicylindrical shell having a shape identical to said firstsemicylindrical shell:

c. means for connecting said first and second flanges of said first andsecond shells respectively to one another for forming a cylindricalbody;

d. disconnected, normally abutting edge portions of peripheral edgeportions of said first and second shells forming access slit means intothe interior of said cylindrical body;

e. said first and second semicylindrical shells having a concavecurvature between their ends such that the center of saidcylindrical-body has a smaller diameter than the ends thereof.

10. A dispensing container comprising, in combination:

a. a first semicylindrical shell having first and second opposingflanges extending from two opposite edges thereof respectively and whichflanges are parallel to one another, and semicircular end wallsextending across the ends of said semicylindrical shell;

b. a second semicylindrical shell having a shape identical to said firstsemicylindrical shell;

c. means for connecting said first and second flanges of said first andsecond shells respectively to one another for forming a cylindricalbody;

(1. disconnected, normally abutting edge portions of peripheral edgeportions of said fist and second shells fomiing access slit means intothe interior of said cylindrical body;

e. said end walls being corrugated by corrugations extending generallytransversely to sald disconnected, normally abutting edge portionsforming said access slit means.

1. A dispensing container comprising, in combination: a. first andsecond identical hollow shells havIng continuous closed peripheraledges; b. first and second flange means extending from at least a firstlength portion of said peripheral edges of said first and second hollowshells; c. means for connecting at least portions of said first lengthportions of said peripheral edges, thereby to hold said first and secondhollow shells connected to one another to define a hollow member; d.remaining portions of said peripheral edges which are removed from saidconnecting means being pressed against one another to form an openableaccess slit to the interior of said hollow member; e. and an elongatedcord in the interior of said hollow member; one end of said cord beingmovable through said access slit.
 2. The dispensing container of claim 1wherein said first and second hollow shells are of a plastic materialhaving a thickness sufficient to make said shells flexible andself-supporting; and wherein said means for connecting is a heat seal.3. The dispensing container of claim 2 wherein said plastic material istransparent.
 4. A dispensing container comprising, in combination: a. afirst semicylindrical shell having first and second opposing flangesextending from two opposite edges thereof respectively and which flangesare parallel to one another, and semicircular end walls extending acrossthe ends of said semicylindrical shell; b. a second semicylindricalshell having a shape identical to said first semicylindrical shell; c.means for connecting said first and second flanges of said first andsecond shells respectively to one another for forming a cylindricalbody; d. disconnected, normally abutting edge portions of peripheraledge portions of said first and second shells forming access slit meansinto the interior of said cylindrical body; e. and an elongated cord inthe interior of said cylindrical body; one end of said cord beingmovable through said access slit.
 5. The dispensing container of claim 4wherein said first and second semicylindrical shells have a concavecurvature between its ends such that the center of said cylindrical bodyhas a smaller diameter than the ends thereof.
 6. The dispensingcontainer of claim 4 wherein said first and second flanges lie in acommon plane which includes the axis of said semicircular body; andwherein said access slit means comprises the abutting connection betweensaid semicircular end walls of said first and second shellsrespectively.
 7. The dispensing container of claim 6 wherein said endwalls are corrugated.
 8. The dispensing container of claim 6 whereinsaid first and second shells are of thin plastic material, heat sealableto itself, and which is sufficiently thick to be self-supporting.
 9. Adispensing container comprising, in combination: a. a firstsemicylindrical shell having first and second opposing flanges extendingfrom two opposite edges thereof respectively and which flanges areparallel to one another, and semicircular end walls extending across theends of said semicylindrical shell; b. a second semicylindrical shellhaving a shape identical to said first semicylindrical shell: c. meansfor connecting said first and second flanges of said first and secondshells respectively to one another for forming a cylindrical body; d.disconnected, normally abutting edge portions of peripheral edgeportions of said first and second shells forming access slit means intothe interior of said cylindrical body; e. said first and secondsemicylindrical shells having a concave curvature between their endssuch that the center of said cylindrical body has a smaller diameterthan the ends thereof.
 10. A dispensing container comprising, incombination: a. a first semicylindrical shell having first and secondopposing flanges extending from two opposite edges thereof respectivelyand which flanges are parallel to one another, and semicircular endwalls extending across the ends of said semicylindrical shell; b. asecond semicylindrical shell having a shape identical to said firstsemicylindrical shell; c. means for connecting said first and secondflanges of said first and second shells respectively to one another forforming a cylindrical body; d. disconnected, normally abutting edgeportions of peripheral edge portions of said fist and second shellsforming access slit means into the interior of said cylindrical body; e.said end walls being corrugated by corrugations extending generallytransversely to saId disconnected, normally abutting edge portionsforming said access slit means.